Category Archives: News Section

Mirror Images to Present Resilience at LTOTS

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photo by Crystal Reed
Mirror Images to Present Resilience at LTOTS
Sullivan High School’s Prevention Theatre group, Mirror Images will present their self-written play “Resilience” at the Little Theatre On The Square on Friday, January 26 at 6:00 pm. Students met twice a week from September-December to write the script for this production. Pictured above are some of the students involved in the production. The cast list is Kaitlyn: Jasmine Duncan, Jason: Logan Hill, Lloyd: Logan Brinkman, Theo: Elora Mast, Charlie: Anna Durdel, Sa’rai: Kikyo Brent, Quinn: Lilium Betts, Stella: Avery Hopper, Josephine: Cora Emel, Tony: Aston Johnson, Taylor: Jaiden Beckwith, Lainey: Claire Kursell, Michael: Clark Freese, Teacher: Gracie Lynch, Coach: Trey Grimm, Mom: Abagail Dean. Stage Managers are Ann Cameron, Arianna McKee and Backstage Crew are Alexia Tull, Diannah Booker, Keylee Jean, Jade McKee.

Fire Destroys Allenville Home

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•January 24, 2024•

The Sullivan Fire Protection District responded to a structure fire at 7:04 pm on Friday, January 19 at 303 State Street in Allenville. Fire crews arrived on the scene at 7:17 pm and reported smoke coming from the front door of the residence. Occupants of the residence were able to escape after calling 911. Crews quickly deployed a handline and made entry to the structure and began attacking the fire. Crews were ordered to a defensive attack when the fire extended above them in the attic and below them in the crawlspace. The structure was a complete loss. The occupants are receiving assistance from the American Red Cross. There were no civilian or firefighter injuries reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by Sullivan Fire District and the Office of the State Fire Marshal. Crews remained on scene until 12:53 a.m. 

The Sullivan Fire Protection District was assisted by Coles-Moultrie 911, Moultrie County Sheriff’s Office, Bethany, Lovington, Findlay and Windsor Fire Protection Districts and the American Red Cross.

Sullivan School District Spelling Bee

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photo by Crystal Reed
Sullivan School District Spelling Bee
The Sullivan School District Spelling Bee was held on Wednesday, January 17 in the Sullivan High School Commons. Students from third through eighth grade participated in the bee. In previous years several students were chosen as finalists and moved to the next round. This year there was only one finalist. Raylan Roe, fifth grade, will go on to the next step which is a 50 question test that will be taken online in February.

Superintendent Cheek Prioritizes Facility Repairs

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photo by Ariana R. Cherry
During the ALAH school board meeting, AGS Principal Andrew Peralta, highlighted the grade schools’ emphasis on literacy, with live demonstrations during the meeting’s visitors portion. Two tables were set up for board members and attendees to observe classroom lessons.

•January 24, 2024•

by Ariana R. Cherry

During the latest ALAH School Board meeting, Superintendent Shannon Cheek directed attention to the district’s facilities, emphasizing repairs, associated costs, and the pursuit of funding to cover them.

“I would like to start being proactive in the buildings and get ahead of things before they start to become a problem,” stated Cheek, highlighting his commitment to addressing issues preemptively. The immediate focus on district buildings centers on roof repairs, particularly at Atwood Hammond Grade School, where leaks have been identified. The estimated cost for these repairs is $235,000. Cheek expressed the need to explore additional funding sources to cover these expenses and aims to present recommendations to the board for approval. Read More

Shawnee Communications Makes Donation to Lovington Grade School Backpack Program

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•January 24, 2024•

On Friday, January 12th, Jamie Franklin, Sales & Marketing Manager for Shawnee Communications, presented the Lovington Grade School Backpack Program with a jump start to the new year in the form of a $9,780 donation. The donation was collected through Shawnee employee contributions, which were matched individually by Shawnee’s four shareholders and that new amount was matched by the company. On hand to receive the donation was Lovington Grade School Principal, Marla Graham.

The Lovington Grade School Backpack Program became a vision for Principal Graham shortly after her arrival at Lovington Grade School. With nearly 70% of her students categorized as “low income” and qualifying for free or reduced lunches, her mission became to help ensure that the basic needs of the students were met so that they could be more focused on receiving an education. Read More

Board Approves Amendment for Manufactured Homes

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•January 17, 2024•

by Crystal Reed

The Moultrie County Board met on Thursday, January 11. Under the planning and zoning committee was an amendment to zoning ordinance 77-1 relating to Manufactured Homes in the unincorporated parts of Moultrie County. According to Kristi Hart, Planning and Zoning Director for Moultrie County, they all currently require a special use permit, but the amendment adds a definition of manufactured home which is in line with the assessors office so they are consistent as well as making them a permitted use in the Ag district if they meet 6 requirements.  Read More

OVMS Offers Unique Elective Courses

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photo by Crystal Reed
Maggie Patient and Eden Hagerman during the Electric Guitar class at OVMS. These explore courses let students learn about everything from foreign language to art and podcasts.

•January 17, 2024•

by Crystal Reed

Okaw Valley Middle School students have the opportunity to learn guitar, design their own comics, learn how to sew and basic concepts of digital photography during their regular school day. The Explore program is in it’s third year at the school. According to OVMS Principal Ross Forlines when the school started to offer the classes there were not as many offerings available to students. 

Prior to the Explore courses there were only three electives - Spanish, Ag and Band and that was only for eighth grade students. Currently there are thirteen offerings for grades 6-8 and two offerings that are eighth grade only.  Read More

Illinois Amish Heritage Center Announces Events for 2024 

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•January 17, 2024•

The Illinois Amish Heritage Center near Arthur has announced their events for the year. The first event of the year is the Sheep, Yarn and Quilts event to be held on Saturday, May 4 from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm. 

Sheep, Yarn and Quilts show teaches attendees how wool is taken from sheep and used to make a quilt. The Amish use many of these methods in their homes today. The show continues to expand each year. The event includes shearing demonstrations of sheep and alpacas.  Read More

Bethany American Legion Post 507 Delivers Donations to VA Home

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photo furnished
Bethany American Legion Post 507 Delivers Donations
to VA Home
Paul Snyder (left) and Sam Scott (right) recently delivered clothing to the VA home in Danville. They donated winter coats, jeans and undergarments with a total value of $1,000. The donation was provided by the Bethany American Legion Post 507 and their Veterans Service Organization (VSO). The Bethany Auxiliary Post 507 had recently donated $500 to the Danville Christmas gift shop and the Yanks Who Gave.